________________________________________________I don't want to completely act like I own this thread, but let's just say I do!

Tips & Suggestions for Acquiring Playbills TTM

Should I Send a SASE Along?It's really best to send a SASE with your request, especially now with the bad economy! Most shows are struggling to survive, let alone spend useless money on stamps/etc.! Not only will this assure a response (hopefully, see below for more info), but hopefully you'll get it back faster. Sorry to have caused any confusion earlier .

I've come across the following shows with personal successes WITHOUT sending a SASE/Envelope/Postage:Wicked: A New MusicalThe Little Mermaid: Disney's Sparkling New Broadway MusicalThe Phantom of the Opera

Unfortunately you are NOT guarantee'd a response. Plenty of shows do not partake in this practice at all. Plenty of people (and probably some on here) take advantage of them and decide to sell them on eBay and other websites, which of course is threatening every aspect of this hobby as many of you know.

Minimal size envelope: 6x9; will fit ONE perfectly. Also, a 9x12 works fine (and is what I usually send for 1 or 2.

The ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANYThe Theatre company which manages two theatres: The American Airlines and the historic Studio 54 almost NEVER send out Cast-Signed playbills. I've gotten one cast-signed success from them, which was Les Liaisons... at the AA Theatre. However, individuals can be reached at those theatres, just not through the stage manager. Certainly you could try for a cast-signed one, but your chances are generally slim (unless they changed people ).

Who do I address it to? What do I write?All requests for cast-signed playbills should be address such that:Stage Manager of "The Little Mermaid"c/o the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre205 W 46th StreetNew York, NY 10036

or if writing to a specific person (and not a cast-signed playbill, but perhaps a headshot or personally signed playbill):Carolee CarmelloMamma Mia!c/o The Winter Garden Theatre1634 BroadwayNew York, NY 10019

When writing to an individual, write normally, and request a playbill or headshot. When writing to a stage manager, write a somewhat short note (atleast half-page) about the production: maybe you saw it on Broadway or on tour, you like the source material (Shrek, obviously the movie; or the book or whatever), you like the people in the cast...Then simply request if you could be sent a cast-signed playbill.

Lastly, "What is a playbill"?A Playbill is a booklet which is also a magazine which is 6x9 inches-ish in size, which list articles relating to BROADWAY, "OFF-BROADWAY," and some other New York Events. It also lists other Broadway shows, restuarant recomendations made by the actors themselves (2 or 4 per month), advertisments, and of course it's main reason is to credit the people in a given production. It lists everyone from the main cast to the chorus to the orchestra to the creators to the producers to who does the payroll for the show.

Playbills are really a US only thing. They are complimentary when you see a show. In London, they just have "Show Programmes" which cost money and serve the same purpose, but are often larger, sometimes show photos from the show, and are often in colour.

How Should I Store my playbills?PlaybillStore.com offers Playbill Binders, which although extremely expensive for what they are, are a binder that is roughly 6.5x10 with ACID FREE Sleeves. It is possible to just recreate this from your local office supply store. Others, like myself, store playbills in boxes or shelves. Similar to a picture, so long as they are not exposed to acid or direct sunlight, they will most likely not fade.

What do playbills look like?All playbills have a yellow border with the word "PLAYBILL" in it, with the theatre listed below. (Mary Poppins has "Showbill"s, and Wicked for it's 5th anniversary put a GREEN banner there) The shows logo/artwork follows below. Below are 5 examples of what they look like!

Not SignedLittle MermaidLestat-Opening NightPhantom of the OperaLes MiserablesPhantom of The Opera-this playbill isdifferent than my other one- it is special as it was only available the night of it's 2 thousand and something performance-the night it became the longest running broadway show. I got it in person but I think you can buy it-but it's really expensive-probably my post prized playbill.

Not SignedLittle MermaidLestat-Opening NightPhantom of the OperaLes MiserablesPhantom of The Opera-this playbill isdifferent than my other one- it is special as it was only available the night of it's 2 thousand and something performance-the night it became the longest running broadway show. I got it in person but I think you can buy it-but it's really expensive-probably my post prized playbill.

Not SignedLittle MermaidLestat-Opening NightPhantom of the OperaLes MiserablesPhantom of The Opera-this playbill isdifferent than my other one- it is special as it was only available the night of it's 2 thousand and something performance-the night it became the longest running broadway show. I got it in person but I think you can buy it-but it's really expensive-probably my post prized playbill.

It was from the 7000++ performance in January of 2006 I believe when it overtook CATS as the longest running show! And it is really expensive like $50-$100.

Not SignedLittle MermaidLestat-Opening NightPhantom of the OperaLes MiserablesPhantom of The Opera-this playbill isdifferent than my other one- it is special as it was only available the night of it's 2 thousand and something performance-the night it became the longest running broadway show. I got it in person but I think you can buy it-but it's really expensive-probably my post prized playbill.

It was from the 7000++ performance in January of 2006 I believe when it overtook CATS as the longest running show! And it is really expensive like $50-$100.

Oh yeah duh. I can't remember that far back. It's a really nice playbill though. Has a letter in it from mayor bloomberg, some photos through the years. It's really cool. I can scan it if you want to see what it looks like.

I also collect playbills. I have (these are the signed ones):700 SundaysPhantom of the OperaAvenue QJersey BoysCurtainsRent (I have 3)Wheel of Fortune (25-27 September 2007) Spamalot - IP and TTMA Tale of Two Cities - In personA Tale of Two Cities - TTMMovin Out - Billy Joel (signed it!!!)WickedThe Little MermaidMary PoppinsSpeed the PlowThe SeagullMamma MiaDeuce (forgot about that one)NovemberFame Becomes Me (signed by Martin Short)AidaKnock Knock (signed by Lynn Redgrave - my mom got this one)one signed by the late Nell Carter (my mom got that too) forgot the name again..

and a ton more - I just found 3 shoeboxes of them! I'm still sorting the boxes (can barely move around now cos I'm so ready to have this baby!! I feel huge and bending is too difficult)

And I'm waiting on a bunch more.

*edited because I somehow forgot Rent*

Edited again - I'm slowly sorting and putting in chronological order my playbills.

I just started this hobby though I think the idea of collecting playbills is just as great as collecting autographs. Though I have no idea what to write.

What do you usually say when you collect a playbill? Who do you send it to? Just write stage manager on the envelope? Sorry I'm completely new to this.

Honestly, for best results write to "The Stage Manager of ____________" (Unless the title is too long like "The Phantom of the Opera") and then write c/o _____ Theatre

So like:

Stage Manager of "Wicked"c/o Gershwin Theatre(and the address)

And then I usually write at note about how much I enjoyed a particular performance of the show or the cast recording, and if I plan to see it, or see it again. And then you can usually add your request for SIGNED playbill or if you just request a playbill you may or may not get one signed. And usually the stage managers for each show have a pile of signed/unsigned playbills lying around ready to send..which is why sometimes you send for one in January and you get one that's from Septemeber!

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum